Evolution

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What is evolution?

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Evolution is a scientific theory that explains how species change over time through processes such as natural selection and genetic drift. It is subject to change if new evidence is found.

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What is a vestigial structure?

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A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through the course of evolution. An example is the wings of an ostrich.

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What does it mean if two organisms have very similar DNA sequences?

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It indicates that the two organisms are closely related and share a common ancestor.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are body parts in different species that have a similar origin but may serve different functions, indicating a common ancestry.

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What are analogous structures?

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Analogous structures are body parts in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is genetic drift?

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Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.

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What is the significance of fossils in understanding evolution?

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Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time, supporting the theory of evolution.

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing species, often due to genetic divergence.

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What is the role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can lead to new traits in organisms, providing raw material for evolution.